Conference quark::human_relations-v1

    Check the newspaper, or even call information, I'm sure they have
    a "Roommate Referal" serice in you area.
    
    This service works kind of like a dating service.  They match people
    with similiar interest, likes and habits.  I've had several people
    go through this service with much success.
    
    (You may want to check with the Employee Assastance Program in your
    area.  They may be able to put you in touch with some very reliable
    resources.
    
    
    Good Luck!!
    CC
    

    Check references.  
    
    Check references.
    
    Check references.
    
    If anything "smells funny" follow your feelings.
    
    

From my experiences, forget the "roommate referal" services, unless they promise
some concrete form of results, such as a new roommate, or at least n referals of
the type you specify within a certain time span, or they get paid when you find
a roommate.

Jim.

PS I'm also back in the housing market *again* 

    Why don't you guys just room with each other?  (there,... wasn't
    that easy?_:-)

    re: .3
    
    What, again?
    
    Did the woman moaning in the fireplace get to you? :-)
    
    Sheesh!  I have one roommate who's practically invisible, one who
    annoys me a lot but about small things, and one who's one of my
    best friends.  I suppose I'm not doing too badly...
    
    DFW

    I put in my vote for checking out a referral service.  I have had
    and know several people who have had much success with this, if
    the service really screened and matched people.  The services can
    also suggest things to ask the person to minimize the probability
    of a major imcompatibility problem.
    
    I've also seen some good books out on roomate hunting.
    
    Since I've had close to 20 roomates over the past 12 years (the
    large number is due almost entirely to changing personal circumstances,
    not compatibility problems), I consider myself knowledgeable in
    the subject.  Having a long talk before agreeing on anything is
    the most important thing.
    
    Ask things like:
    
            1)sleeping/working/eating schedule (e.g. will you consistently 
              need to take showers at the same time each day; will
              the person be up late making noise at night, etc); 
    
	    2)degree of neatness/slobbishness;
        
            3)communication ability (I've found it important that
              each person agree to let the other know, in a polite and 
              responsible way, when something bothers them **before** 
              it becomes an issue; then you have a chance to talk things 
              out and compromise (and build a real friendship sometimes).  
              You can't expect the person to be a mind reader, and vice versa);
    
    
    and so on.  As a previous note said, if something smells funny,
    whether in the conversation or in a reference, say thank you but
    no thank you.

    Don't hesitate to bring up an issue that's really important to
    you because you're afraid you won't hear what you want.  Better
    to get it out in the open than risk it becoming a problem when it's
    not so easy to change your mind.    	    

A friend of my owns and rents seven apartments in Newton, Mass.  She calls 
all of their references, and she usually asks for four, including the last 
landlord and the last and current boss.

She occasionally pays for a credit check from one of the large credit 
bureaus.  She is primarily looking for people who will pay their expenses 
on time and not damage the property.

WOMANOTES 197.* has a long discussion on public washroom manners and one 
noter said (approximately):  Before accepting a new roommate, I call and 
ask their last roommate, "Did this person ever put up a new roll of toilet 
paper."  She says it seems to work as a good test question and she has had 
some very good roommates.     Meigs